Strong indicators Plans are underway to install lightning detector on Mount Cleveland this summer. Researchers at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA, have found that lightning is a good indicator of volcanic activity. Their paper documents the electrical activity that occurred during the January 2006 eruption of Mount Augustine.

While it has long been known that volcanic eruptions can produce vigorous lightning, there are few direct observations of the phenomena, the paper says. Following the initial eruptions of January 11 and January 13, 2006, two of which produced lightning, two electromagnetic lightning detectors were set up.

Later, the volcano erupted again, with the first of four eruptions producing a